Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/219

Rh These views joined to the general liberality of his character led him to remove the restrictions which had before his time fettered the freedom of the Indian press; he moreover allowed newspapers to circulate at a reduced rate of postage, and it was during his administration that the first native journal appeared in print.

Keenly interesting himself in all with whom he came into contact, he endeavoured to raise the officers of the Company's armies to a higher status than they enjoyed, more befitting their position. Wielding great power, incurring grave responsibilities, engaged in subjecting a vast continent to the rule of their country, their services were often unrequited and their military rank, in many cases, corresponded inadequately with the onerous functions they were called upon to discharge. Just before the Maráthá war, some of the commanders of divisions, who up to that time had never been given a higher rank than that of colonel, were promoted brigadier-generals; and when the extension of the Order of the Bath was instituted, fifteen officers of the Indian forces were raised to the dignity of Knight Commander, on account of the 'eminent services which have been rendered to the empire' by that army. Sir D. Ochterlony was subsequently invested (March, 1818) by Lord Hastings with the ribbon of the Grand Cross, who pronounced upon that occasion the following words: —

'You have obliterated a distinction painful for the officers of the Honourable Company, and you have opened the door